Full hydraulic earth working implement

ABSTRACT

An earth working implement having a high ground clearance beam connected to a frame unit having side plates. An articulated linkage is connected to an earth working tool and pivotally joined to the frame unit. Tracks on the side plates cooperate with rollers on the standard to guide the movement of the plow bottom to a trip position without the plow bottom going below its normal earch working position. A hydraulic cylinder acting on the standard continuously holds and biases the plow bottom to its earth working position.

1451 Sept. 25, 1973 United States Patent Geurts 172/705 X 172/265172/265 UX FULL HYDRAULIC EARTH WORKING IMPLEMENT l/l969Greer......................,..:

Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey [73] Assignee:

Assistant ExaminerStephen C. Pellegrino Att0rney-Burd, Braddock & Bartz[22] Filed:

Appl. No.: 124,753

[57] ABSTRACT An earth working implement having a high ground RelatedUS. Application Data Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 486,712, Sept. 13,

I965, and a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 666,047, Sept. 7, i967.

clearance beam connected to a frame unit having side plates. Anarticulated linkage is connected to an earth working tool and pivotallyjoined to the frame unit. Tracks on the side plates cooperate withrollers on the standard to guide the movement of the plow bottom to atrip position without the plow bottom going below its 50 N H1 26 Nb m 6A2 n I C St Uh UH 55 [58] Field of Search................... 172/266,264, 261,

normal earch working position. A hydraulic cylinder acting on thestandard continuously holds and biases the plow bottom to its earthworking position.

3,032,122 Geurts 172/264 27 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEPZSIQHSHEET 2 0F 4 INVENTOR. CLETUJIGEURTJ Vs Yr FULL HYDRAULIC EARTH WORKINGIMPLEMENT CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is acontinuation-in-part of US. application Ser. No. 486,712 filed Sept. 13,1965 and US. Patent application Ser. No. 666,047 filed Sept. 7, i967.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A conventional agriculture plow and similarearth working tools have one or more plow bottoms attached to beamsmounted on a generally horizontal frame. The frame is connected to adraft vehicle, as a tractor, with an adjustable hitch. The plow beamsare located relatively close to the ground when theplow bottoms are inground working position. The result is that in fields with large amountsof trash, as corn stalks, straw, beans and the like, the low clearanceof the plow beams causes the trash to collect and block the plow. Thecollected trash interferes with the action of the colters and theturning of the trash by the plow bottoms. It is a common practice tomulch or chop the trash prior to plowing. This consumes considerabletime, power and expense. Chopping and mulching devices have been appliedto plows to break up the trash.

In addition to trashy conditions of agricultural lands, many soils maycontain rocks, or similar obstructions which must be cleared by the plowbottom. Plow bottom trip releases are used to permit the plow bottoms tomove back and over the obstructions. These trip releases are notparticularly suitable with use in a high clearance plow. By increasingthe height of the plow beams, there is a corresponding increase in thelength of the standardand considerable lateral loadingof the standard.This subjects the standards and their connecting linkages to suitabletwisting and torsion forces. The result is excessive wear, andconsiderable breakage of the linkage when conventional plows aremodified as a high clearance plow. An example of a low beam plow isshown in US. Pat. No. 3,349,855.

Several plow bottom reset designs have been developed for high beamplows. Geurts US. Pat. Nos. 3,032,122 and 3,46l ,973 both show guidemechanisms for controlling the trip movement of the plow bottom. Thespring trip release in Geurts Pat. No. 3,032,122 does not operate incombination with a hydraulic cylinder to hold the plow bottom in theearth working position, provide a biasing force during the upwardmovement of the plow bottom and provide a continuous biasing force toreturn the plow bottom to its earth working position. The presentinvention has overcome these deficiencies of the trip release of GeurtsPat. No. 3,032,122.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates to an earth workingimplement and more particularly to an automatic holding and releasemechanism for a plow bottom to prevent the plow share from breaking,bending or other injury when striking an obstruction.

The earth working implement has a high beam and is equipped with ahydraulic biased standard connected to a guided track and rollermechanism. Hydrauliccylinders are located in a position which does notin interfere with the trash on the ground. The track and roller guidemechanism increases lateral strength and stability of the standard andpermits the use of a hydraulic cylinder which is subjected to relativelylow pressure and thereby reducing the power of requirement for ahydraulic trip and reset system. Suction and longitudinal forces arealso taken by the track and roller mechanism thereby minimizing theforces acting on the hy-.

draulic cylinder. A relatively small hydraulic force is required fromthe hydraulic cylinder to yieldably hold the plow bottom in its normalearth working position. The hydraulic cylinder is the sole power sourcefor holding, biasing and resetting the plow bottom. The track and guidestructure is of such design that when the plow engages an obstructionthe point of the plow bottom does not go below the normal working depthof the plow bottom as it rides over the obstruction. The track and guidestructure is mounted on a frame unit. A guide plate secured to the beamlocates the frame unit on the beam. Clamp assemblies vertically andhorizontally clamp the frame unit on the plow beam.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved load holding andrelease mechanism for the ground working tool of an earth workingimplement, such as a plow, lister, cultivator and the like having a highclearance beam. Another object is to provide a frame unit for a plowbottom holding and release mechanism that can be clamped to a plow beam.Another object of the invention is to combine with a plow a load holdingand release mechanism which allows the plow standard to swing rearwardlyand upwardly out of the ground without the plow point going below theplowing depth when the plow share strikes a fixed object, as a stone orthe like. Another object of the invention is to provide a plow bottomholding and release mechanism which will yield when the plow bottom hitsan object only to the degree necessary to clear the object wherebyunplowed areas of a field are kept to a minimum. A further object of theinvention is to provide a release mechanism for a plow bottom which willautomatically reset without stopping the forward movement of the plow.Still another object of the invention is to provide a plow with anautomatic load release mechanism for the plow bottom which can be usedin conjunction with a tractor without a hydraulic pressure system.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a plow bottom inground working position attached to a beam by the holding and releasemechanism, shown in section, of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the plow bottom in therelease position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a portion of aconventional mold board plow indicated generally at including ahorizontal longitudinal plow beam 11, and an upright standard 12 securedat its lower end to an earth working tool or plow bottom 13 positionedin soil 14. The plow bottom 13 is shown in ground working position. Aholding and release mechanism indicated generally at 16 attaches thestandard 12 to the beam 11. The mechanism 16 yieldably holds the plowbottom 13 in ground workong position shown in FIG. 1. When the plowshare strikes an obstruction 17, such as a rock shown in FIG. 3, theplow bottom moves rearwardly and upwardly to a release or trip positionpermitting the plow share to ride over the obstruction. Mechanism 16allows the plow bottom 13 to swing rearwardly and upwardly out of theground without the share point going below the plowing depth. After theplow share has passed over the obstruction, mechanism 16 automaticallyresets the plow bottom 13 to the earth working position. This isaccomplished without stopping the forward movement of the plow.

The holding and release mechanism 16 has a support comprising a pair ofupright plates 18 and 19 located on opposite sides of the rear endsection of the horizontal beam 11. As shown in FIG. 4, blocks 21 spacethe plates 18 and 19 from the adjacent sides of the beam. Nut and boltassemblies 22 are used to secure the plates 18 and 19 and spacer blocks21 to the beam. The front edge of plates 18 and 19 curves downwardly andrearwardly and is reinforced by a transverse web 23. The plates 18 and19 project rearwardly from the end of the beam 19 on opposite sides ofthe upright standard 12.

19. Stop 43 is an eccentric bolt having a nut 44 which can be adjustedto vary the working angle of the plow share and thereby change the pullor suction of the plow bottom 13 as it moves through the soil.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mid-portion of standard 12 has rearwardly andupwardly projected arm 46 pivoted to a power unit, indicated generallyat 47, which biases the standard 12 into engagement with the stop 43,thereby yieldably holding the plow bottom 13 in the ground workingposition.

The power unit 47 in addition to biasing the plow bottom 13 in groundworking position functions to absorb and store energy transmittedthereto when the plow bottom strikes an obstruction, as shown in FIG. 3.The power unit 47 comprises a first cylinder 48 secured to a collar 49.As shown in FIG. 4, the collar 49 has oppositely projected ears 51 and52 extended through The standard 12 curves forwardly in a downwarddirection. The lower end of the standard 12 is secured by bolts (notshown) to plow bottom 13. The upper end of standard 12 is pivotallyconnected to a pair of links 24 and 26 by a transverse pin 27 projectedthrough the standard and the ends of the links. The opposite ends of thelinks are pivoted to the plates 18 and 19 by nut and bolt assemblies 28and 29 respectively. The links 24 and 26 and standard 12 form anarticulated linkage connecting the plow bottom 13 with plates 18 and 19.

Standard 12 is positioned for movement in an upward and rearwarddirection between the plates 18 and 19. The path of this movement isdetermined by guide apparatus indicated generally at 31. Secured to theinner faces of plates 18 and 19 are two pairs of upper and lower arcuatetrack members 32,33 and 34,36 respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, bolts 37extend through plates 18 and 19 and into the track members to fix thetrack members to the plates. The space between each pair of trackmembers defines an arcuate way accommodating rollers 38 and 39 rotatablypositioned on a transverse pin 41 projected through standard 12. Washers42 provide clearance spaces between the sides of standard 12 and rollers38 and 39. The radius of curvature of track members 32,33 and 34,36 isabout equal to the distance between the mid-portions of each trackmember and the axes of the nut and bolt assemblies 28 and 29. The radialcenter of the arcuate track members is upward and rearward of the axesof the nut and bolt assemblies 28 and 29. The track members have anarcuate length which is equal to about oneeighth of a circle.

When the plow bottom 13 is in the ground working position, as shown inFIG. 1, the standard 12 abuts a stop 43 extended transversely betweenplates 18 and holes in top sections of upright plates 53 and 54 securedto plates 18 and 19 respectively. The collar 49 positions the cylinder48 between plates 53 and 54 for pivotal movement about a horizontaltransverse axis.

Slidably disposed in the cylinder 48 is a piston 56 secured to adownwardly projected piston rod 57. Cylinder 48, piston 56 and pistonrod 57 are commonly known as a hydraulic cam. The lower end of pistonrod 57 is pivotally connected to the outer section of arm 46 by-atransverse pin 58 projected through suitable holes in the end of pistonrod 57 and arm 46. A large cylinder 59 positioned concentrically withcylinder 48 is secured to the upper end of cylinder 48. Cylinder 48 isopen to the bottom of cylinder 59. Slidably positioned in cylinder 59 isa piston 61 secured to an upwardly projected piston rod 62. The pistonrod 62 slidably projects through a sleeve 63 threaded into a top closure64 secured to the upper end of cylinder 59 by fasteners 66, as stud andnut units. Positioned within the cylinder and in bearing engagement withthe top of piston 61 and closure member 64 is a large spring 67 whichbiases the piston 61 in a downward direction. Concentrically positionedabout the piston rod 62 is a small spring 68 engageable at opposite endswith the piston 61 and sleeve 63. The compression force of spring 68 maybe adjusted by turning the sleeve 63 relative to closure member 64. Thebottom of cylinder 59 has a filler coupler 69 used to fill the portionsof the cylinders 48 and 59 between the pistons 56 and 61 respectivelywith hydraulic fluid 70, such as oil. Cylinder 59 also has a bleed cock71 used to bleed air from cylinder 59.

The flow of hydraulic fluid from cylinder 48 to cylinder 59 is regulatedby a one-way flow restrictor washer 73 having a central hole permittinga restricted flow of fluid from the cylinder 59 to cylinder 48. Thewasher 73 is biased into engagement with the top of cylinder 48 by leafspring 74 secured at one edge to washer 73 and secured at an oppositeedge to the base of cylinder 59 by screw 76.

The hydraulic fluid is placed under high pressure in a large cylinder 59which is multiplied by using small piston 99. Cylinder 59 serves as anaccumulator for the hydraulic fluid subjected to a compressive force bya spring biased piston. The hydraulic fluid may be subjected to theforce of compressed gas in lieu of piston 61 and spring 67. The cylinder59 can be charged with gas, as nitrogen, under high pressure. Thecylinder chamber can be divided with a floating piston into abydraulicchamber and a gas chamber. All of the hydraulic cylinders on the plowcan be connected to a single hydraulic pressure source, as anaccumulator or directly from a vehicle used to operate the plow.

In use, as shown in FIG. 1, the power unit 47 yieldably holds the plowbottom 13 in the soil working position. The force of the springs 67 and68 urge the large piston 61 against the hydraulic fluid 70. This forceis multiplied by using the smaller piston 56 which is in fluidengagement with the fluid 70. Pistons 56 and 61 are fluidly coupled toeach other to transmit the force of springs 67 and 68 to the standard12. The piston rod 57 acting on the arm 46 pivots the standard 12 aboutthe pivot pin 27 and pivots the links 24 and 26 about the pivot bolts 28and 29, forcing the standard 12 into engagement with the stop 43.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the plow share strikes an obstruction 17, suchas a rock or the like, theforce on the plow bottom 13 and standard 12exceeds the holding force of the power unit 47, pushing the standard 12upwardly and rearwardly, and driving the piston 56 into the cylinder 48.This forces the hydraulic fluid past the open flow restrictor washer 73,shown by broken lines in FIG. 3, into the large cylinder 59. Thehydraulic fluid in the large cylinder 59 raises piston 61 against thebiasing force of the springs 67 and 68. The large cylinder acts as anaccumulator for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure.

The standard 12 is guided arcuately in an upward and rearward directionby the guidev apparatus 31. This causes the standard 12 to pivotrearwardly about pin 27 as well as move the standard 12 in antuprightdirection about the pivotaxes of the bolts 28 and 29. The plow bottom 13immediately moves upwardly and rearwardly when it strikes anobstruction. The plow share point does not go below normal plowingdepth.

After the plow share has passed over the obstruction 17, the power unit47 automatically forces the plow bottom 13 in a forward direction to theearth working position shown in FIG. 1. Movementof the, fluid from thecylinder 59 to the cylinder 48 is restricted by washer 73 to prevent afast snap or kick of the plow bottom 13 to the earth working position.The plow bottom 13 will automatically move to the earth working positionwithout impeding or stopping the forward motion of the plow. Thestandard 12 is guided by rollers 38 and 39 along the arcuate waysdefined by track members 32,33 and 34,36 until the standard 12 abutsagainst the stop 43.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a modified holding and releasemechanism indicated generally at 77 for operatively attaching a plowbottom 78 to a horizontal plow beam 79. The mechanism 78 comprises anupright standard 81 secured by bolts 82 to plow bottom 78. The standard81 has an upright arm 83 and a rearwardly directed arm 84. A transversepin 85 pivotally connects the upright arm 83 to an angle frame 86 havingthe shape of an upwardly open channel. The forward upper end of frame 86extends on opposite sides of the beam 79 and is pivotally connectedthereto by a horizontal transverse pin 87. Angular movement of frame 86in a forward direction is limited by an inverted U-shaped stop 88secured to opposite sides of frame 86 and extended over the plow beam79. The lower rear end of the frame 86 is enclosed and reinforced by atransverse web 89. A bolt 91 threaded through a nut 92 secured to thelower end of web 89 functions as an adjustable stop for the standard 81.Bolt 91 projects through web 89 and engages the rear side of upright arm83.

The plow bottom 78 is yieldably held in the ground working position by apower unit 93 which is identical to power unit 47. Power unit 93includes upright cylinder 94 secured to collar 96 having a pair of earspivotally mounting the collar on a pair of brackets 97 secured to theend of beam 79 by nut and bolt assemblies 98. The brackets 97 areprojected rearwardly and downwardly from the beam 79 on opposite sidesof collar 96. Slidably positioned in the cylinder 94 is a piston 99attached to a downwardly directed piston rod 101. A transverse pin 102pivotally connects the lower end of the piston rod 101 to the rearwardarm 84 of the standard. Hydraulic fluid 103 under pressure urges piston99 in a downward direction moving the'standard 81 in an upright positionwith the arm 83 in engagement with the end of stop bolt 91 and stop 88into engagement with the top of plow beam 79. Adjustment of the bolt 91changes the angular position of the plow share to adjust the downwardpull or suction of the plow bottom.

When the plow bottom 78 strikes an obstruction, standard 81 will pivotabout the. transverse pin and frame 86 will pivot upwardly about thetransverse pin 87.This forces the piston 99 into the cylinder 94,forcing the hydraulic fluid 103 upwardly into the large cylinder 104.After the plow bottom 78 has passed over the obstruction, the pressureon the hydraulic fluid 103 forces the piston 99 in a downward directionmoving the plow bottom and standard 81 to the ground working position asshown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a mold board plow bottomassembly indicated generally at 1 10 mounted on a diagonal box beam 112of a plow. The assembly has a frame unit 113 accommodating articulatedlinkage members 114 connected to an earth working tool shown as a moldboard plow bottom 116. The bottom 1 16 can be replaced with other earthworking tools, as a lister, chisel plow, harrow tooth, and like earthworking tools. A hydraulic cylinder unit 117 subjected to relatively lowpressure is connected to the articulated linkage 114. Unit 117 is anenergy storing means comprising a piston and cylinder assembly whichoperates to continuously store and transmit a force to the linkagemember 114 to bias the earth working tool 1 16 in its forward normalground working position. I

The frame unit 1 13 has generally parallel upright side members orplates 118 and 119 secured to a bottom generally horizontal plate 121.Outwardly directed top plates 122 and 123 are secured to the top edgesof side members 1 l8 andl19. An upright diagonal back plate 124 extendsbetween and is secured to the bottom plate 121 and the top plates 122and 123. As shown in FIG. 8, plates 121, 122 and 124 form a generallyU-shaped structure accommodating the box beam 112. A generally flatpositioning block 125 is secured to the top of box beam 112. The sideplates 118 and 119 extend adjacent the opposite sides of block 125,thereby locating the frame unit 113 on the box beam without the use ofholes in the beam. The block 125 eliminates costly holes in the beam andbolts to attach the frame unit 1 13 to the beam 112. The beam 112 hasadditional blocks 125A to locate other frame units on the beam.

Secured to the forward ends of the top plates 122 and 123 is a diagonalangle member 126. Nut and bolt assemblies 127 and 128 located invertical aligned holes in plates 121 and 123 and angle member 126function to clamp the frame unit 1 13 on the diagonal beam 112.Eccentric or off center holders or washers 129 and 131 surrounding endportions of the nut and bolt assemblies 127 and 128 are rotatable tofirmly hold, by longitudinally clamping, the frame unit 113 in assembledrelation with the box beam 112. The holders along with the nut and boltassemblies facilitate the mounting of the frame unit on the beams with aminimum of machining and labor. The frame unit 113 is a standardassembly interchangeable with other assemblies having box shaped beams.

Articulated linkage 114 comprises a generally upright standard 132having a lower end secured to the mold board plow bottom 116. The upperportion of the standard 132 extends between the side plates 118 and 119and is pivotally connected to a pair of generally horizontal links 133and 134 with a generally transverse pin 137. The links 133 and 134 haveupright arms 136 connected to the hydraulic cylinder unit 117. Theforward ends of links 133 and 134 are pivotally connected to side plates118 and 119 with a transverse pivot pin 138.

Rotatably mounted on standard 132 below pivot pin 137 is a pair ofrollers 139 and 141. A transverse axle 142 secured to the standard 132rotatably mounts the rollers 139 and 141 on opposite sides of thestandard.

Located on adjacent portions of the insides of side members 118 and 119are generally upright convex curved tracks 143 and 144 providing camsurfaces for rollers 139 and 141. Bolts-146 secure tracks 143 and 144 tothe two rear upright portions 147 and 148 of the side members 118 and119. As shown in FIG. 6, lower ends of tracks 143 and 144 have upwardlydirected curved portions 149 which serve as stops for limiting theforward and downward motion of standard 132. When rollers 139 and 141engage portions 149, the plow bottom 116 is in its normal earth workingpositron.

The hydraulic cylinder unit 117 comprises a cylinder 151 carrying apiston (not shown) connected to a piston rod 152. A pivot pin 153connects the outer end of rod 152 to the upper end of arms 136. The headend of cylinder 151 is located adjacent to generally upright support154. A transverse pivot pin 156 connects the cylinder 151 to the support154. A longitudinal member 157 secured to angle 126 and transversediagonal support leg 158 carries the upright support 154. Member 157 issecured to top plates 122 and 123.

Located adjacent the forward lower portions of the side plates 118 and119 is an angle member 159. A transverse pivot 161 connects the member159 to side plates 118 and 119. Adjustably connected to the forward endof member 159 is an upright rod or standard member, thereby determiningthe normal ground working position of colter disc 163.

Both hydraulic cylinder units 117 and 164 are connected to a commonsource of hydraulic fluid under pressure through a hydraulic line 172. Aseparate hydraulic line 173 connects the cylinder 164 with the line 172.The source of hydraulic pressure can be an accumulator, the hydraulicsystem of the power unit or tractor operating the plow.

In use, a plow having a plurality of plow bottom assemblies 110 mountedon a diagonal beam 112 is connected to a power unit, as a tractor. Eachassembly 1 10 has articulated connected linkage members 132, 133 and 134which work with the coacting rollers 139 and 141 and guide tracks 143and 144 to control the normal working depth of the plow bottom, and thetripping and reset path of the plow bottom. The coacting roller, trackand side plate structures provide side or lateral as well aslongitudinal and suction force receiving members or anchors for thestandard 132. This structure enables the plow beam 1 12 to be positionedat a relatively high elevation with respect to the ground, giving theplow high ground clearance. A high clearance plow beam is advantageousin the working of extremely trashy fields, as picked corn fields. Thelateral forces on the standard 132 are taken by the frame unit 113. Thisalleviates most of the twisting forces on the pivot pins 137 and 138.

The hydraulic cylinder unit 117 provides a continuous biasing force onarms 136 to hold the articulated linkage 1 14 in its normal groundworking position. This is the only force holding the linkage down. Withsubstantial forces being taken by the coacting roller and track guidemeans, a relatively low pressure cylinder unit 117 can be used tooperate the plow bottom assembly without slamming the standard back toits forward position. When the plow bottom 116 hits an obstruction, thepoint of the plow bottom 116 will move upwardly without going below itsnormal working depth. The linkage 132 and 133 folds upwardly against thebiasing force of the cylinder unit 117. As soon as the plow bottompasses over the obstruction, the bias- 160. Rotatably mounted on thelower end of rod 160 is an upright sleeve 160A secured to a rearwardlydirected arm 162 rotatably carrying an upright colter disc 163. Theupper end of member 159 is connected to a hydraulic cylinder unit 164.The cylinder unit 164 has a piston rod 166 connected with a pivot member167 to the upper end of the member 159. The head end of cylinder 168 isconnected with a pin 169 to a downwardly directed projection or support171. Support 171 is connected to the forward end of longitudinal member157. Member 159 engages a transverse stop edge 170 on plate 121 to limitthe pivotal movement of the ing force of the cylinder unit 117 resets ormoves the plow bottom back to its normal earth working position. Theplow bottom 116 resets without stopping the forward motion of the plow.

The colter disc 163, located forwardly in the plow bottom 116, is biasedto its earth working position by the second cylinder unit 164. With boththe first cylinder unit 117 and the second cylinder unit 164 connectedto a common source of fluid under pressure, both the plow bottom 116 andcolter disc 163 are held in their ground working positions withcomparable amounts of force.

The hydraulic cylinder units 117 and 164 are located at least at theelevation of the plow beam 112 so they do not interfere with trash orforeign material that may be laying on the ground. When the colter disc163 strikes an object, as a rock, it will pivot upwardly and ride overthe object. The hydraulic cylinder unit 164 is a yieldable link biasingthe arm 159 to reset and hold the disc 163 in its ground workingposition. When the plow bottom 116 strikes an object, as a rock, theplow bottom 116 along with the standard 132 will ride upwardly along thepath of tracks 143 and 144, moving the links 133 and 134 in a forwardposition.

The hydraulic cylinder unit 1 17 will be contracted as the plow bottom116 moves upwardly against its hydraulic biasing force. The plow bottom116 moves out of the ground without the point of the plow share goingbelow the normal working depth. As soon as the plow bottom 1 16 passesover theobject, the hydraulic cylinder unit 117 will force the plowbottom 116 back to its ground working position. This is an automaticoperation which is accomplished without stopping, reversing or changingthe speed of the plow.

While there has been shown and described preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is understood that various changes in the details of thehydraulic holding, release and return mechanism and other structures ofthe plow, plow bottom and colter may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In an earth working implement having a beam, the combination of:support means secured to the beam and projected rearwardly therefrom, amovable linkage comprising link means pivotally connected to the supportmeans for movement about an axis transverse of the beam and a generallyupright standard pivotally connected to the link means for movementabout an axis transverse of the beam, stop means engageable with saidstandard to limit movement thereof in a forward direction, an earthworking tool mounted on a lower portion of said standard, said toolbeing in a normal ground working position when said standard is inengagement with said stop means, coacting guide means on said standardand support means for directing movement of 'the standard along a pathupwardly and rearwardly away from the stop means guiding the toolbetween the ground working position and the release position withoutallowing any portion of the tool to go below the ground working positionof the tool, and force storing and transmitting means for continuouslybiasing the standard into engagement with the stop means, saidforcestoring and transmitting means including a hydraulic ram meanshaving first and 'second relatively movable members, means pivotallyconnecting one of said members of the ram means to the link means abovesaid transverse axes, means connecting the other member to the supportmeans, and means for continuously supplying the ram means with hydraulicfluid under pressure to allow the tool to move rearwardly and upwardlyto a release position when striking an obstruction against thecontinuous force of the hydraulic pressure in the ram means and tocontinuously force the tool back to ground working position in the pathdetermined by the coacting guide means as soon as the tool passes overthe obstruction, said force storing and transmitting means being thesole means holding the standard and tool in its ground working position.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein: said means for supplyinghydraulic fluid includes an accumulator charged with fluid underpressure and means fluidly connecting the accumulator with the hydraulicram means.

3. The implement of claim 1 wherein: the support means comprises a pairof spaced upright plate means secured to opposite sides of the beam,said link means and part of the standard located between the spacedupright plate means, said coacting guide means comprising upright curvedrails secured to the plate means and roller means riding on the railsrotatably mounted on the opposite sides of the standard.

4. The implement of claim 1 including: clamp means for holding thesupport means in assembled relation with the beam.

5. The implement of claim 1 including: block means secured to the beam,said support means cooperating with the block means to position thesupport means on the beam.

6. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein: said link means has anupwardly directed arm, said one of said members of the ram means beingconnected to the arm.

7. The implement of claim 1 including: clamp means for holding thesupport means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp meansincluding upright bolt means and eccentric washer means surrounding thebolt means to horizontally clamp the support means on the beam.

8. In an earth working implement having a substantially horizontal beam,the combination of: upright plate means secured to said beam, stop meanssecured to a portion of said plate means, a generally upright standardpositioned adjacent said upright plate means, link means pivotallyconnected to the upper end portion of the standard, extended forwardlytherefrom, and pivotally connected to said upright plate means, an earthworking tool mounted on the lower portion of said standard, coactingguide means on said standard and upright plate means for directing themovement of the standard along a path upwardly and rearwardly toward andaway from the stop means whereby the tool moves between a ground workingposition and a release position without allowing any portion of the toolto go below the working position, power means for storing andtransmitting force operable to continuously bias the standard intoengagement with the stop means and yieldably hold the standard inengagement with the stop means, said power means having first and secondrelatively movable elements, and means connecting one of the elementswith the link means generally above the pivotal connection of the linkmeans with the standard whereby the power means yieldably holds the toolin ground working position and allows the tool to be moved toward therelease position when striking an obstruction and forces the tool toground working position as soon as the tool passes over the obstruction.

9. The implement of claim 8 wherein: said link means has generallyupright arm means, said means connecting one of the elements beingmounted on the arm means.

10. The implement of claim 8 wherein: said power means includes ahydraulic cylinder.

11. The implement of claim 8 wherein: said upright plate means comprisesa pair of spaced upright plates secured to opposite sides of the beam,said link means and part of the standard located between the spacedplates, said coacting guide means comprising curved rails secured to theplates and roller means riding on the rails rotatably mounted on thestandard.

12. In an earth working implement having a beam, the combination of:support means attachable to the beam and projected rearwardly therefrom,linkage means including a pair of pivotally connected members positionedadjacent the support means, means pivotally connecting one of themembers to the support means for movement about an axis generallytransverse of the support means, arm means secured to said one of themembers of the linkage means, an earth working tool mounted on the otherof the members, said tool being movable to a normal ground workingposition and to a release position, force storing and transmitting meansfor continuously biasing the tool to the ground working position, saidforce storing and transmitting means including hydraulic ram meanshaving first and second relatively movable elements and means pivotallyconnecting one of the movable elements of the ram means to the arm meansabove said transverse axis and the other element to the support means,said ram means connectable to means for continuously supplying the rammeans with hydraulic fluid under pressure, coacting guide means on thesupport means and one of the members for directing movement of the toolupwardly and rearwardly away from the ground working position to therelease position without allowing any portion of the tool to go belowthe ground working position of the me] against the force of the forcestoring and transmitting means, said force storing and transmittingmeans continuously biasing the tool to the ground working position.

13. The implement of claim 12 wherein: said support means include a pairof spaced upright plate means mounted on the beam, said pair ofpivotally connected members being partially located between said platemeans, said coacting guide means comprising curved upright rails securedto the facing sides of the plate means in alignment with each other androller means riding on the rails rotatably mounted on one of the pair ormembers.

14. The implement of claim 12 wherein: said means for continuouslysupplying hydraulic fluid under pressure includes an accumulator chargedwith fluid under pressure, and means fluidly connecting the accumulatorwith the hydraulic ram means.

15. The implement of claim 12 wherein: said coacting guide meanscomprise upwardly and rearwardly directed track means and roller meansoperable to ride on the track means.

16. The implement of claim 12 including: clamp means for holding thesupport means in assembled relation with the beam.

17. The implement of claim 12 including: clamp means for holding thesupport means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp meansincluding upright.

bolt means and eccentric washer means surrounding the bolt means tohorizontally clamp the support means on the beam.

18. The implement of claim 12 wherein: the support means comprises aframe unit having an upper portion and a lower portion located adjacentopposite sides of the beam and clamp means cooperating with the upperportion and lower portion to hold the frame unit on the beam.

19. The implement of claim 13 including: clamp means for holding theplate means in assembled relation with the beam.

20. The implement of claim 19 including: block means secured to thebeam, said plate means cooperating with the block means to position thesupport means on the beam.

21. The implement of claim 16 including: block means secured to thebeam, said support means cooperating with the block means to positionthe support means on the beam.

22. The implement of claim 18 including: block means secured to thebeam, said frame unit cooperating with the block means to position theframe unit on the beam.

23. The implement of claim 18 wherein: the frame unit has a pair ofgenerally upright plates.

24. The implement of claim 18 wherein: the clamp means includes uprightbolt means connecting the upper portion and the lower portion andeccentric washer means surrounding the bolt means to horizontally clampthe frame unit on the beam.

25. In an earth tillage implement: a frame, a ground working tool;mounting means connecting said tool to said frame for substantiallyfree, unobstructed movement away from an operating ground-penetratingposition toward a fully elevated position above the ground, saidmounting means having movable means including a standard secured to thetool, and forwardly projected means secured to the upper portion of thestandard and stationary means mounting the forwardly projecting means onthe frame, and guide means for guiding said tool during movement betweensaid positions, said stationary means and guide means including firstand second guides on said stationary means and first and second followermeans on said movable means cooperating respectively with said first andsecond guides so that when the tool strikes an obstruction it will moverearwardly and upwardly along a fixed path without allowing any portionof the tool to go below its normal earth working depth to clear theobstruction, biasing means having one portion connected to the movablemeans and a second portion connected to the stationary means forcontinuously biasing said tool toward said operating ground penetratingposition in all positions of said tool, for continuously yieldingresisting meovement of said tool away from said ground penetratingposition, and for continuously returning said tool to said groundpenetrating position after movement away therefrom, and means pivotallymounting the second portion of the biasing means to the stationary meansat an elevation higher than the elevation of the forwardly projectedmeans.

26. The tillage implement of claim 25 wherein: said biasing meansincludes a hydraulic cylinder having its piston rod connected to saidmovable means mounting said tool.

27. The tillage implement of claim 25 wherein: said first guide includesan upwardly curved track on the stationary means, and said firstfollower means includes a roller mounted on the movable means andengageable with said track.

Po-wso UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,760,882 Dated September 25, 1973 Inventor) Cletus J. u'eurts I It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

er I A 1 Claim 13, line 9, "or" should be "0ft".

Signed and sealed this 29th day of January 197Lg..-

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER Attesting Officer I ActingCommissioner of Patents

1. In an earth working implement having a beam, the combination of:support means secured to the beam and projected rearwardly therefrom, amovable linkage comprising link means pivotally connected to the supportmeans for movement about an axis transverse of the beam and a generallyupright standard pivotally connected to the link means for movementabout an axis transverse of the beam, stop means engageable with saidstandard to limit movement thereof in a forward direction, an earthworking tool mounted on a lower portion of said standard, said toolbeing in a normal ground working position when said standard is inengagement with said stop means, coacting guide means on said standardand support means for directing movement of the standard along a pathupwardly and rearwardly away from the stop means guiding the toolbetween the ground working position and the release position withoutallowing any portion of the tool to go below the ground working positionof the tool, and force storing and transmitting means for continuouslybiasing the standard into engagement with the stop means, said forcestoring and transmitting means including a hydraulic ram means havingfirst and second relatively movable members, means pivotally connectingone of said members of the ram means to the link means above saidtransverse axes, means connecting the other member to the support means,and means for continuously supplying the ram means with hydraulic fluidunder pressure to allow the tool to move rearwardly and upwardly to arelease position when striking an obstruction against the continuousforce of the hydraulic pressure in the ram means and to continuouslyforce the tool back to ground working position in the path determined bythe coacting guide means as soon as the tool passes over theobstruction, said force storing and transmitting means being the solemeans holding the standard and tool in its ground working position. 2.The structure defined in claim 1 wherein: said means for supplyinghydraulic fluid includes an accumulator charged with fluid underpressure and means fluidly connecting the accumulator with the hydraulicram means.
 3. The implement of claim 1 wherein: the support meanscomprises a pair of spaced upright plate means secured to opposite sidesof the beam, said link means and part of the standard located betweenthe spaced upright plate means, said coacting guide means comprisingupright curved rails secured to the plate means and roller means ridingon the rails rotatably mounted on the opposite sides of the standard. 4.The implement of claim 1 including: clamp means for holding the supportmeans in assembled relation with the beam.
 5. The implement of claim 1inCluding: block means secured to the beam, said support meanscooperating with the block means to position the support means on thebeam.
 6. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein: said link means hasan upwardly directed arm, said one of said members of the ram meansbeing connected to the arm.
 7. The implement of claim 1 including: clampmeans for holding the support means in assembled relation with the beam,said clamp means including upright bolt means and eccentric washer meanssurrounding the bolt means to horizontally clamp the support means onthe beam.
 8. In an earth working implement having a substantiallyhorizontal beam, the combination of: upright plate means secured to saidbeam, stop means secured to a portion of said plate means, a generallyupright standard positioned adjacent said upright plate means, linkmeans pivotally connected to the upper end portion of the standard,extended forwardly therefrom, and pivotally connected to said uprightplate means, an earth working tool mounted on the lower portion of saidstandard, coacting guide means on said standard and upright plate meansfor directing the movement of the standard along a path upwardly andrearwardly toward and away from the stop means whereby the tool movesbetween a ground working position and a release position withoutallowing any portion of the tool to go below the working position, powermeans for storing and transmitting force operable to continuously biasthe standard into engagement with the stop means and yieldably hold thestandard in engagement with the stop means, said power means havingfirst and second relatively movable elements, and means connecting oneof the elements with the link means generally above the pivotalconnection of the link means with the standard whereby the power meansyieldably holds the tool in ground working position and allows the toolto be moved toward the release position when striking an obstruction andforces the tool to ground working position as soon as the tool passesover the obstruction.
 9. The implement of claim 8 wherein: said linkmeans has generally upright arm means, said means connecting one of theelements being mounted on the arm means.
 10. The implement of claim 8wherein: said power means includes a hydraulic cylinder.
 11. Theimplement of claim 8 wherein: said upright plate means comprises a pairof spaced upright plates secured to opposite sides of the beam, saidlink means and part of the standard located between the spaced plates,said coacting guide means comprising curved rails secured to the platesand roller means riding on the rails rotatably mounted on the standard.12. In an earth working implement having a beam, the combination of:support means attachable to the beam and projected rearwardly therefrom,linkage means including a pair of pivotally connected members positionedadjacent the support means, means pivotally connecting one of themembers to the support means for movement about an axis generallytransverse of the support means, arm means secured to said one of themembers of the linkage means, an earth working tool mounted on the otherof the members, said tool being movable to a normal ground workingposition and to a release position, force storing and transmitting meansfor continuously biasing the tool to the ground working position, saidforce storing and transmitting means including hydraulic ram meanshaving first and second relatively movable elements and means pivotallyconnecting one of the movable elements of the ram means to the arm meansabove said transverse axis and the other element to the support means,said ram means connectable to means for continuously supplying the rammeans with hydraulic fluid under pressure, coacting guide means on thesupport means and one of the members for directing movement of the toolupwardly and rearwardly away from the ground working position to therelease position without allowing any portion of the tool to go belowthe ground workinG position of the tool against the force of the forcestoring and transmitting means, said force storing and transmittingmeans continuously biasing the tool to the ground working position. 13.The implement of claim 12 wherein: said support means include a pair ofspaced upright plate means mounted on the beam, said pair of pivotallyconnected members being partially located between said plate means, saidcoacting guide means comprising curved upright rails secured to thefacing sides of the plate means in alignment with each other and rollermeans riding on the rails rotatably mounted on one of the pair ormembers.
 14. The implement of claim 12 wherein: said means forcontinuously supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure includes anaccumulator charged with fluid under pressure, and means fluidlyconnecting the accumulator with the hydraulic ram means.
 15. Theimplement of claim 12 wherein: said coacting guide means compriseupwardly and rearwardly directed track means and roller means operableto ride on the track means.
 16. The implement of claim 12 including:clamp means for holding the support means in assembled relation with thebeam.
 17. The implement of claim 12 including: clamp means for holdingthe support means in assembled relation with the beam, said clamp meansincluding upright bolt means and eccentric washer means surrounding thebolt means to horizontally clamp the support means on the beam.
 18. Theimplement of claim 12 wherein: the support means comprises a frame unithaving an upper portion and a lower portion located adjacent oppositesides of the beam and clamp means cooperating with the upper portion andlower portion to hold the frame unit on the beam.
 19. The implement ofclaim 13 including: clamp means for holding the plate means in assembledrelation with the beam.
 20. The implement of claim 19 including: blockmeans secured to the beam, said plate means cooperating with the blockmeans to position the support means on the beam.
 21. The implement ofclaim 16 including: block means secured to the beam, said support meanscooperating with the block means to position the support means on thebeam.
 22. The implement of claim 18 including: block means secured tothe beam, said frame unit cooperating with the block means to positionthe frame unit on the beam.
 23. The implement of claim 18 wherein: theframe unit has a pair of generally upright plates.
 24. The implement ofclaim 18 wherein: the clamp means includes upright bolt means connectingthe upper portion and the lower portion and eccentric washer meanssurrounding the bolt means to horizontally clamp the frame unit on thebeam.
 25. In an earth tillage implement: a frame, a ground working tool;mounting means connecting said tool to said frame for substantiallyfree, unobstructed movement away from an operating ground-penetratingposition toward a fully elevated position above the ground, saidmounting means having movable means including a standard secured to thetool, and forwardly projected means secured to the upper portion of thestandard and stationary means mounting the forwardly projecting means onthe frame, and guide means for guiding said tool during movement betweensaid positions, said stationary means and guide means including firstand second guides on said stationary means and first and second followermeans on said movable means cooperating respectively with said first andsecond guides so that when the tool strikes an obstruction it will moverearwardly and upwardly along a fixed path without allowing any portionof the tool to go below its normal earth working depth to clear theobstruction, biasing means having one portion connected to the movablemeans and a second portion connected to the stationary means forcontinuously biasing said tool toward said operating ground penetratingposition in all positions of said tool, for continuously yieldingresisting meovement of said tool away from said ground penetratingposition, anD for continuously returning said tool to said groundpenetrating position after movement away therefrom, and means pivotallymounting the second portion of the biasing means to the stationary meansat an elevation higher than the elevation of the forwardly projectedmeans.
 26. The tillage implement of claim 25 wherein: said biasing meansincludes a hydraulic cylinder having its piston rod connected to saidmovable means mounting said tool.
 27. The tillage implement of claim 25wherein: said first guide includes an upwardly curved track on thestationary means, and said first follower means includes a rollermounted on the movable means and engageable with said track.